Sidira V. DVM, trained in Cardiology at European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies (ESAVS)
Introduction
The purpose of this study is to describe the management and stabilization of cats with pleural effusion and the steps required to establish the diagnosis. In the literature, the most common cause of pleural effusion is heart failure, followed by neoplasms with carcinomas, sarcomas and mesotheliomas being the most common.
Clinical cases
Forty clinical cases of cats with pleural effusion, aged 3 to 14 years old, 22 males (55%) and 18 females (45%) were included in the study. 80% of the cats were admitted with dyspnoea and due to the highly stressful environment of the clinic, gentle and careful handling was required for their management. Diagnostics for dyspneic animals included a TFAST ultrasound, chest radiographs and baseline blood work (including T4, pro-BNP, etc). After the animal was stabilized, an echocardiography was performed and a sample of pleural fluid was obtained for cytological examination, culture and biochemical parameters.
Results
In 85% of the animals (34) the pleural effusion was the result of heart failure, in 12.5% (5) neoplastic disease and in 1 animal (2.5%) infectious peritonitis.
Conclusions
The stabilization and proper management of a cat admitted with acute respiratory distress due to pleural effusion is vital for the cat's survival. In the present study, pleural effusion was very frequently due to heart failure, as reported in the literature, followed by lung and thoracic neoplasms.
